Sage sticks at the ready. We’ve done some digging and conjured up some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most haunted places. From the creepy and morbid to the downright unhinged, muster some courage and don’t forget to pack a spare pair of undies—you’ll need ‘em.
Content warning: We’re all about the good life at Urban List but this list is something a little different. From ghosts to grisly murders, if you’re having a hard day, you might want to come back to this one later. So without further ado, here are 11 of New Zealand's most haunted locations.
Kingseat Hospital
Kingseat, Auckland
The former Kingseat Psychiatric Hospital is revered for being one of the most haunted locations in New Zealand. Today, it’s brimming with Spookers, a litany of monsters straight out of your nightmares. That’s right, somebody had the bright idea to turn a former psychiatric hospital into a haunted attraction scream park so you never really know if the spooks you’re encountering are actors or the real deal.
Apparently, back in the day, more nurses died than patients, with staff suicides being common on the grounds. Visitors have noted ice-cold chills when entering rooms, thick and heavy air, and apparitions of a ‘Grey Nurse’ in and around the former nurses’ home. For more haunted spots in Auckland, check out the full list.
The Vulcan Hotel
St Bathans, Otago
The Vulcan Hotel is home to one of most notorious spirits to grace hotels in New Zealand—a sex worker named ‘The Rose.’ Located in Otago, The Rose once checked into this hotel alongside a male companion—the next morning she was found raped, robbed and reportedly strangled to death.
Now she takes her revenge targeting male visitors, some of whom have felt held down or straddled during their stay…
Hagley Park
Christchurch, Canterbury
On 28 August 1954, 16-year-old Pauline Parker and 15-year-old Juliet Holme bludgeoned Pauline’s mother to death with a brick in Hagley Park. Since they were under eighteen the pair were sentenced to prison and ended up serving five or so years.
Immortalised forever in Peter Jackson’s film Heavenly Creatures, while there have been no reports of paranormal activity, the mere knowledge of the tragic event will have you breaking out in cold sweats the next time you venture into the park.
Larnach Castle
Dunedin, Otago
Image credit: DunedinNZ
Larnach Castle is another spooky site located on the Otago Peninsula—seems you Dunners’ folk have a fair bit of paranormal activity lurking around your grounds.
It is said that one of Larnach’s daughters who lived there, Katie, died from typhoid cancer and continues to walk amongst the castle’s ballroom which was gifted to her for her 21st birthday.
Larnach, not long after Katie’s death, killed himself due to financial struggles—his figure is also said to be seen lurking in the corridors of the castle.
Lyttelton Ghost Girl
Lyttelton, Canterbury
In 1875 eleven-year-old girl Isabella Thompson was murdered while walking to school one afternoon in what local newspapers called “the most horrible murder ever perpetuated in Canterbury”.
That evening her body was found by two brothers in some bushes. Ever since there have been sightings of a small girl standing near that same area and some claim to hear the cry of a young girl at night.
Otira Tunnel
Otira And Arthur's Pass
Image credit: History House Museum Greymouth
Not all ghosts are scary, in fact, this particular ghost is as friendly as they come. Located between Christchurch and Greymouth, the Otira Tunnel accommodates the ghost of a Scotsman who was believed to have been killed during its construction.
Rumour has it he can be seen travelling east on the Old Coach Road in a desperate attempt to catch a ship home from Lyttleton.
The Old Ghost Road
Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry
It’s no surprise that The Old Ghost Road has a ghost or two in its history. In fact, the 85km mountain biking and tramping trail is home to not one, not two but four ghost towns.
Once an abandoned gold miners’ road, the track connects Lyell to the Mokihinui River and is part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. We have it on good authority that it’s also a favourite haunt for the spirits of long-perished miners and track builders.
Lake Alice Hospital
Rangitikei, Manawatu
When the words ‘spooky’ and ‘hospital’ appear in the same sentence, you know things are about to get scary, and nothing gets spookier than the history of the old Lake Alice Hospital.
While theoretically specialising in psychiatric ‘care’, we now know children sent to this hospital were subject to sexual, physical and psychological abuse; electric shock treatment and painful drugs.
It’s been said that when the hospital was still functioning, the staff often felt the coldness of spirits as they walked the hospital halls.
Tāngarākau
Forgotten World Highway
In 1901 construction began on a railway line from Stratford through Whangamomona to Okahukura. The project took 32 years to complete over which time new towns sprung into existence.
Tāngarākau was once such a town and in 1929 it was a bustling hive of activity with a sports ground, school and various accommodations for its inhabitants. When the railway was complete the township became a ghost town practically overnight. Spooky.
Napier Prison
Napier
Image credit: Napier Prison | Instagram
If you fancy a guided tour of a terrifying establishment, look no further than Napier Prison. With 131 years of incarceration and execution to its name, this place is sure to give you a case of the jitters.
To make matters worse in 1869 a new ‘West Wing’ was opened to house “lunatics”. If you dare to step into the inmates’ shoes, you can book into the Napier gaol’s own Escape Room and find out whether or not you’ve got what it takes to make it out alive.
Spirits Bay
Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua
Northland’s Spirits Bay is home to a great amount of cultural significance. In Māori culture, the bay is thought to be a pit stop on the way to the afterlife where the dead gather before departing, and we think that’s pretty damn special.
There have been several reports of apparitions over the last five years, some believing it is those who have passed, finding their light to the afterlife.
Scared yourself silly? Check out these places in Tāmaki Makaurau that are good for the soul.
Main image credit: Larnach Castle by Chris Stevenson